In May 1962 the volunteer fire company in the little coal mining town of Centralia, PA started a fire in the community landfill which was located in an abandoned strip mine pit. This was a standard practice at the time as a way to handle growing piles of trash. Unfortunately the fire was not adequately extinguished and it burned through the pit into abandoned mining tunnels beneath the town. The fire smothered for almost 20 years before the ground began sinking due to the burning of coal pillars that held up the tunnel roofs. Steaming vents opened around the town. Carbon monoxide seeped into the houses. Federal money was allocated to relocate the residents because it had become unsafe to live in the town.
Most of the people accepted the settlement offers and moved. The businesses and houses were leveled and grass and trees have taken over the properties. Five house still stand and since they are not in any danger of collapsing from subsidence the owners have been granted the right to stay for the rest of their lives. St. Mary's which sits on a hill is the only church, out of five, left standing.
Visiting the remains of the town is eerie. There are no street signs. There is no sign for the town limits. The town has been wiped out of existence. The streets are empty and trees overgrow the smaller ones. Steps lead to nowhere. We stopped at Centralia in 2010 and found a few places where steam was raising from the ground but that seems to have stopped as the fire moved to deeper levels in the mine.
The streets are in fairly good condition so it’s easy to roll along but it’s hilly so wheelchair users may need assistance. Most of the streets are still opened so you can also drive and see the sights. One of the main attractions is a section of Route 61 that is closed due to cracks and settlement and is now covered with graffiti. Piles of dirt at each end make it impossible to access with a wheelchair.
Park on any of the streets but do not trespass on the property of the few remaining residents. Centralia 40.79972, -76.33939
Cool! I love abandoned roads. Often great cycling.
ReplyDeleteWe were thinking about staying for the night on one of the backroads but we decided to head up to a higher elevation and cooler temperatures. We did spot a motorhome tucked way back on one of the overgrown roads, generator humming along, so we weren't the only one with that idea. :-)
DeleteAny idea what your winter plans are????
ReplyDeleteVery rough plans so far - stay north until it gets cooler then go south and west. We have a invitation to Thanksgiving in Santa Fe. Arizona for the RTR in Jan., then wander up north to Seattle as it warms up. Not sure what route we'll take. Are you spending the winter in Florida?
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